Food Container Lid System

ABSTRACT

A food container lid system is provided and generally includes a food container and a lid for covering the food container. The lid may include a base portion and a cover that attaches to the base portion via a hinge. According to various aspects, a user may release the cover from the base portion with one hand by actuating a release member located on the base portion. According to various additional aspects, the lid may include one or more air tight seal structures that prevent food in the container from being exposed to outside air and from leaking.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not applicable to this application.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not applicable to this application.

BACKGROUND

Field

Example embodiments in general relate to a food container lid systemthat allows a user to release a lid cover from a base portion of the lidwith one hand. Furthermore, the food container lid system may beair-tight and/or water-tight to prevent food included there within fromgoing bad or from leaking.

Related Art

Any discussion of the related art throughout the specification should inno way be considered as an admission that such related art is widelyknown or forms part of common general knowledge in the field.

A significant cause of food spoilage is oxygen. Oxygen can be colorlessand tasteless and is often forgotten or taken for granted as a means forcausing food to spoil. When oxygen comes into contact with food, it canhave deteriorative effects on fats, food colors, vitamins, flavors, andother food elements. For example, oxygen can cause oxidation, enhancethe growth of microorganisms, and cause damage to food by speeding upchemical reactions of enzymes that are naturally present in the food.

In an effort to prevent food from spoiling as a result of being exposedto oxygen, food may be put into containers. Many food containers includelids. When the food container lid is opened, a person is able to accessthe food included inside the food container. Most food containers have atwo piece design. A lid (i.e., first piece) is attached to a container(i.e., second piece) and the lid is pushed down to seal and close thefood inside the container.

A related food container typically requires a person to use both handsin order to open the lid from the container. In this type of container,one hand is typically required to brace the container while the otherhand is used to remove the lid. For example, the lid may be opened by auser holding the food container with one hand while unscrewing ordetaching the lid with the other hand. As another example, the lid maybe opened while the user is holding the food container and pullingupward on a wire opening mechanism with the other hand. Recent foodcontainers have attempted to improve the effort required by a user toopen a food container by including a release mechanism in the cover ofthe lid. However, when the release mechanism is actuated by the user,the user must push their hand down on the cover creating a downwardforce that goes against the opening upward of the cover, thus, gettingin the way of the cover when it attempts to open.

In addition, a typical two piece design does not have an air-tight or awater-tight seal at a point of contact between the lid and the containeror at a point of contact between a lid cover and a lid base. As aresult, oxygen from outside the container may be introduced to foodincluded inside through multiple ways, even if at a slower rate.Furthermore, if the food includes a liquid, for example, milk, juice,water, soup, and the like, when the container is moved or the liquidsplashes or rises to the top, the liquid may escape at the point ofcontact between the lid and the container and/or at the point of contactbetween the lid cover and the lid base.

In a related food container system, a release latch is included in thecover of the lid. Therefore, to open the lid, a user presses down on therelease latch while simultaneously pressing down on the cover. However,because the release latch is included in the cover, the hand of the usergets in the way of the lid while it is opening. In other words, when theuser presses down on the release latch, their hand is in contact withthe cover of the lid. As a result, the downward force of the user's handprevents the cover from opening upwards. Therefore, a user must use twohands to open the cover.

Accordingly, there exists a need for a food container that allows a userto open the lid with one hand without the hand being in the way, andthat creates an air-tight and water-tight seal for the food includedwithin.

SUMMARY

An example embodiment is directed toward a food container lid thatgenerally includes a base adapted to attach to a top portion of a foodcontainer and a cover. The lid base may include a release member thatmay be actuated by a user and an opening that exposes access to aninterior of the food container. The lid cover may cover the opening ofthe lid base and prevent access to the interior of the food containerwhen in a closed state. The lid cover may include a cover connector thatremovably connects to the release member of the lid base when the lidcover is in the closed state. The lid may also include a hingeconnecting the lid base to the lid cover. The release member may beactuated by the user to release the cover connector. Accordingly, thelid cover may open revealing the interior of the food container.

Another example embodiment is directed toward a food container lidincluding a base adapted to attach to a top portion of the foodcontainer and which includes an opening that exposes access to aninterior of the food container. The food container lid also includes acover that covers the opening of the lid base and prevents access to theinterior of the food container when in a closed state. The foodcontainer lid also includes a hinge connecting the lid cover to the lidbase. Further, the food container lid includes a flange attached to thelid base or the lid cover, and a channel attached to the other of thelid base or the lid cover. In this example embodiment the channelincludes a seal and the seal and the flange form an air-tight sealbetween the lid cover and the lid base.

Another example embodiment is directed toward a food container lidapparatus including a food container that has a release member thereinwhich may be actuated by a user and an opening that exposes access to aninterior of the food container. The apparatus may also include a lidcover that covers the opening of the food container and prevents accessto the interior of the food container when in a closed state. The lidcover may also include a cover connector that may be removably connectedto the release member when the lid cover is in the closed state. Theapparatus also includes a hinge connecting the lid base to the lidcover. Furthermore, the release member releases the cover connector whenthe release member is actuated by the user.

There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, some of the features ofthe food container lid system in order that the detailed descriptionthereof may be better understood, and in order that the presentcontribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are additionalfeatures of the food container lid system that will be describedhereinafter and that will form the subject matter of the claims appendedhereto. In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment ofthe food container lid system in detail, it is to be understood that thefood container lid system is not limited in its application to thedetails of construction or to the arrangements of the components setforth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. Thefood container lid system is capable of other embodiments and of beingpracticed and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understoodthat the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purposeof the description and should not be regarded as limiting.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Example embodiments will become more fully understood from the detaileddescription given herein below and the accompanying drawings, whereinlike elements are represented by like reference characters, which aregiven by way of illustration only and thus are not limitative of theexample embodiments herein.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a food container lid system with the lidclosed in accordance with an example embodiment.

FIG. 2a is a perspective view of a food container lid system with thelid in an initially opened state in accordance with an exampleembodiment.

FIG. 2b is a perspective view of a food container lid system with thelid fully open in accordance with an example embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a food container lid system having fourlocking areas in accordance with an example embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a top portion of the food containerlid system of FIG. 1 taken along line 4-4 in accordance with an exampleembodiment.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the top portion of thefood container lid system of FIG. 4 in accordance with an exampleembodiment.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a food container lid system inaccordance with another example embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of a top portion of the food containerlid system of FIG. 6 taken along line 7-7 in accordance with an exampleembodiment.

FIG. 8 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the top portion of thefood container lid system of FIG. 7 in accordance with an exampleembodiment.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of a food container lid system inaccordance with another example embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a side perspective view of a top portion of the foodcontainer lid system of FIG. 9 in accordance with an example embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a view of a rubber hinge between a lid cover and a lid baseof a food container lid system in accordance with an example embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a view of a rubber spring included in a release button of afood container lid system in accordance with an example embodiment.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a food container lid system inaccordance with another example embodiment.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a food container lid system inaccordance with another example embodiment.

FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view of the top portion of the foodcontainer lid system in accordance with an example embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION A. Overview

An example food container lid system generally includes a food containerhaving an upper opening and a lid attached to an upper end of the foodcontainer for selectively enclosing the upper opening. In variousexample embodiments, the lid includes a base that may be removablyattached or permanently attached to the upper end of the food containerand a cover that is pivotally attached to the base by a hinge. The lidbase generally includes an access opening that allows access to theinterior of the food container when the lid cover is open.

According to various example embodiments, the lid base may include arelease member disposed on a side portion thereof that allows a user toeasily and conveniently open the lid cover with one hand and without thehand hitting or otherwise interfering with the opening action of the lidcover. For example, the release member may include a release latch orbutton that may be pressed inwardly by a finger or a hand of the user.The lid cover may include a connector that removably connects the lidcover to the release member of the lid base when the lid cover isclosed. In this example, when the release member is actuated by the user(e.g., the user presses on a portion of the release member) the releasemember may release the cover connector and the biasing hinge may forcethe lid open by causing the lid cover to move from the closed positionto the open position.

According to various example embodiments, the lid may include one ormore air tight seals. For example, a first seal may be created betweenthe base of the lid and the food container. In this example, the basemay include a channel located on an underneath side thereof and a sealthat is positioned within the channel. When the base is attached to thefood container, the seal and the upper end of the food container maycreate an air tight seal between the lid and the food container. Asecond seal may be created between the lid cover and the lid base. Inthis example, either the lid base or the lid cover may include a flangethat surrounds the access opening. Also, the other of the lid base andthe lid cover may include a channel and seal that is positioned withinthe channel. Accordingly, when the lid cover is closed, the seal and theflange may create an air tight seal between the lid cover and the lidbase.

In some examples, the lid base is removably attachable to the foodcontainer. In other examples, the lid base may be permanently attachedto the food container, for example, through a process of ultrasonicwelding. In other examples, the lid base may be integrated and/or moldedinto the food container such that the food container and the lid baseare of one construction as illustrated in FIG. 15. In this example, therelease member may be included in the food container and the lid covermay be attached to the food container by the hinge as further shown inFIG. 15. In this example, there might not be a seal between the lid baseand the food container because the lid base is integrated with the foodcontainer. However, in this example, a seal may be included between thelid cover and the food container.

Accordingly, the food container lid system described herein prevents auser's hand from getting in the way when the user opens the lid cover.In addition, the lid may create a seal that is air tight and/or watertight between the lid cover and the lid base, and between the lid andthe food container. As a result, the food container lid may prevent foodincluded in the container from being exposed to outside air and fromleaking out of the food container when the lid cover is closed.Accordingly, the food container system described herein may improve userconvenience when opening the food container and also improve thefreshness and quality of the food stored in the food container.

FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a food container lid system in whichthe lid is closed, and FIGS. 2a and 2b illustrate examples of the foodcontainer lid system in which the lid is open. Referring to FIGS. 1, 2a, and 2 b, food container lid system 10 includes a food container 50that has a lid removably attached thereto. In this example, the lidincludes a lid base 20 and a lid cover 40. The lid base 20 is adapted toattach to a top portion of the food container 50. For example, the lidbase 20 may attach to the food container 50 through a threadedmechanism, locking mechanisms, snapping mechanisms, and the like. Thefood container 50, the lid base 20, and the lid cover 40 may includeplastic. For example, the food container 50 may include a clear plasticmaterial and the lid cover 40 and the lid base 20 may include a coloredplastic material.

In the example of FIG. 3, food container lid system 11 includes a lidbase 20 that attaches to the food container 50 by locking mechanisms 26.In this example, the lid base 20 includes four locking mechanisms 26(i.e., points of compression) such that there is at least one lockingmechanism 26 for each corresponding side of the four-sided foodcontainer 50. Similarly, the food container 50 may include lockingmechanisms 54 (shown in FIG. 5) that correspond to the lockingmechanisms 26 of the lid base 20, and which may lock or hold the lockingmechanisms 26 securely. Accordingly, leakage may be prevented from allfour sides, in comparison to a situation in which the lid base 20 isattached to the food container 50 on two sides. As another example, foodcontainer lid system 13 shown in FIG. 9 includes a threaded feature atan upper end of the food container 50 and a lower end of the lid base20. In this example, the lid may be attached and/or fastened to the foodcontainer 50 by screwing or twisting the lid closed.

B. Release Member FIGS. 1, 2 a, 2 b, 3, 9, 13, 14) and (6, 11 & 12)

According to various aspects, a release member 30 is included within orotherwise attached to the lid base 20, for example, on a side portion ora top portion of the lid base 20. For example, the release member 30 maybe a release latch or a push button that is actuated by a user pressingon a contact surface thereof. However, the release member 30 is notlimited thereto, and may be any other desired release mechanism, forexample, a latch that is pulled downward, outward, and/or upward by auser, a knob or dial that is turned by a user, and the like. Also,although the release member 30 is shown on a side portion of the lidbase 20, the release member 30 is not limited to this location withrespect to the lid base 20. For example, the release member 30 may bedisposed on an upper portion of the lid base 20 and may be aligned on asame plane as the lid cover 40. In some examples, a space may beincluded between the release member 30 and the lid cover 40. The spacemay further prevent the user's hand from getting in the way of the lidcover 40 while the user's hand is contacting the release member 30.

The lid base 20 also includes an opening 24 that exposes access to aninterior 52 of the food container 50 and a flange 22 surrounding theopening 24. The lid cover 40 may close the opening 24 of the lid base 20and prevent access to the interior 52 of the food container 50 when in aclosed state. The lid cover 40 may be connected to the lid base 20 via ahinge 60. In this example, a single hinge 60 is shown but more than onehinge may be used. The hinge 60 may be a biasing hinge such as a springhinge, a coil hinge, a rubber hinge, and the like, and may cause the lidcover 40 to move from the closed state to the open state when the lidcover 40 is released by the release member 30.

Also, the hinge 60 may bias the lid cover 40 at an angle with respect tothe lid base 20 as shown in FIG. 2a . For example, the hinge 60 maycause the lid cover 40 to move upwards and away from the lid base 20 asa result of a biasing force included in the hinge 60. The biasing forcecreated by the hinge 60 may hold the lid cover 40 at an angle withrespect to the lid base 20, for example, an angle between 0° and 90°with respect to the lid base 20, 5° and 60° with respect to the lid base20, 10° and 45° with respect to the lid base 20, and the like. The usermay further open the lid cover 40 by pulling the lid cover 40 over theback of the hinge 60 thereby revealing easier access to the entireopening 24 of the lid base 20 as shown in FIG. 2 b.

According to various exemplary embodiments, when the release member 30is actuated by the user, the release member 30 releases a connectionwith the lid cover 40. FIGS. 4 and 5 illustrate cross-sectional examplesof the lid shown in FIGS. 1, 2 a, 2 b, and 3, taken along line 4-4 inFIG. 3. As shown, the lid cover 40 may be removably connected to therelease member 30 when the lid cover 40 is in the closed state. Forexample, the lid cover 40 may include a cover connector 42 thatremovably connects to a release member connector 34 of the releasemember.

For example, the cover connector 42 and the release member connector 34may include hook shapes, or partial hook shapes. In the example of FIG.5, the cover connector 42 includes a partial hook, or L-shaped pieceshape that has an approximate right angle shape. Here, the coverconnector 42 is a hook that extends downwardly from the lid cover 40.Likewise, the release member connector 34 has a shape that correspondsto the shape of the cover connector 42 and includes a hook that extendsupwardly from the release member 30. Here, the release member connector34 connects (or contacts) the cover connector 42 preventing the lidcover 40 from being pushed upwards by the force of the hinge 60. Therelease member 30 may include a tapered upper portion and may bepivotally connected to the lid base 20 by button hinge 32 such that whenthe lower portion (i.e., the contact portion) of the release member 30is pushed inwardly the release member connector 34 moves outwardly withrespect to the cover connector 42 to disengage from or otherwise releasethe cover connector 42 thereby allowing the lid cover 40 to be pushedinto the open position. It should also be appreciated that the shape ofthe cover connector 42 and the release member connector 34 is notlimited to the examples shown herein and may have any other desiredshape and/or construction capable of removably attaching the lid cover40 to the release member 30.

Referring again to the examples in FIGS. 2a and 2b , the lid base 20includes a housing or cavity therein for accommodating at least aportion of the release member 30. In these examples, the lower half ofthe release member 30 is housed in a cavity on the side portion of thelid base 20. Furthermore, the top portion of the release member 30extends above an upper surface of the lid base 20 enabling a coverconnector 42 included within the lid cover 42 and positioned above thelid base 20 to be received by the release member 30 when the lid cover40 is closed. In addition, a space exists on the lid base 20 between theflange 22 and the release member 30. As a result, an external edge ofthe lid cover 40 may align flush with an external edge of the lid base20 when the lid is closed.

The food container 50 and the lid shown in FIGS. 1-5 have a four-sidedshape, however, the shape of the food container 50 and the lid is notlimited thereto. In the example of FIG. 9, food container lid system 13includes a circular shaped food container 50 and a lid having the sameshape. As another example, the food container 50 and the lid may have anelliptical shape, a triangular shape, a five-sided shape or more, andthe like.

Furthermore, in some examples, the food container 50 and the lid mayhave a different shape with respect to each other. For example, as shownin FIG. 13, food container system 14 may include a food container 50that has an elliptical shape such as a cereal container, and the lid mayhave a circular shape. Here, the lid base 20 is significantly largerthan the opening 24 and the lid cover 40. As another example, as shownin FIG. 14, food container system 15 may include a food container 50that has a fish bowl shape and the lid may have a circular shape. Itshould also be appreciated that any combination of sizes and shapes oflids and food containers 50 are capable of being used.

According to various aspects, the hinge 60 and the button hinge 32 maybe spring hinges, coil hinges, biasing hinges, and the like. The hinge60 may force the lid cover 40 from the open position to the closedposition. The button hinge 32 may partially resist the release member 30being actuated by a user. For example, the button hinge 32 may receive aforce from the release member 30 being pressed by the user. Accordingly,the button hinge 32 may deform enough to allow the cover connector 42 todisengage from the release member connector 34. The button hinge 32 mayalso force the release member 30 back to its original position when theuser stops exerting the pressing force. Furthermore, as shown in theexamples of FIGS. 11 and 12, the hinge 60 and the button hinge 32 may bemade of a microwavable material, for example, rubber, silicone, apolymer, and the like.

In some examples herein, instead of the lid including a removablyattachable lid base 20, the features of the lid base may be integratedinto the food container itself. For example, FIG. 6 illustrates anexample of food container lid system 12 in which food container 50includes the features of a lid base integrated therein. In this example,the food container 50 includes release member 30 that may be actuated bya user. Also, food container 50 may include and an opening (not shown)that exposes access to an interior 52 of the food container 50. In thisexample, the lid cover 40 may cover the opening of the food container 50and prevent access to the interior 52 of the food container 50 when in aclosed state. In this example, the lid cover 40 may include a coverconnector 42 that may be removably connected to the release member 30 ofthe food container 50 when the lid cover 40 is in the closed state. Inaddition, a hinge 60 may connect the food container 50 to the lid cover40.

C. Seal Structure

According to various aspects, the lid may include one or more sealstructures that prevent air from entering and food from leaking out ofthe food container 50. FIGS. 4 and 5 illustrate a side view of foodcontainer lid systems 10 and 11 shown in FIGS. 1-3, FIGS. 7 and 8illustrate a side view of the food container lid system 12 shown in FIG.6, and FIG. 10 illustrates a side view of the food container lid system13 shown in FIG. 9. In these examples, a first seal 46 is includedbetween the lid cover 40 and the lid base 20. Also, in the examples ofFIGS. 4, 5, and 10, a second seal 28 is further included between the lidbase 20 and the food container 50. As a non-limiting example, the firstseal 46 and the second seal 28 may include silicone rubber, a polymer,and the like. Referring to FIG. 2b , the flange 22 may be a wall thatextends outward and above the rest of the lid base 20 and isapproximately parallel to the side walls of the food container 50. Inthe example of FIG. 2b , the flange 22 is located on an interior of thelid base 20 surrounding the opening 24 and extends upward at a heightthat is similar to a depth of the lid cover 40. Accordingly, when thelid cover 40 is pulled down on top of the lid base 20, an exterior edgeof the lid cover 40 surrounds the exterior area of the flange 22, andthe exterior edge of the lid cover 40 is aligned with an exterior edgeof the lid base 20.

Referring to FIGS. 4, 5, 7, 8, and 10, a first channel 44 is included inan underneath side of the lid cover 40. For example, the first channel44 may include a slit or a groove that aligns with the flange 22 of thelid base 20. A first seal 46 is included within the first channel 44 andmay be deformable. As another example, the seal 46 may be included on anedge of the flange 22 (shown in FIG. 9) instead of within the firstchannel 44. According to various aspects, when the lid cover 40 isplaced in the closed position, the seal 46 may contact the flange 22causing the seal 46 to partially deform. As a result, a contact areabetween the seal 46 and the flange 22 may form an air tight and/or awater tight seal between the lid cover 40 and the lid base 20.

In these examples, the flange 22 is included in the lid base 20 and thefirst channel 44 is included in the lid cover 40. It should beappreciated that the flange 22 and the first channel 44 are not limitedto these locations. As another example, the flange 22 may be included inthe lid cover 40 and may extend downwardly from the lid cover 40.Accordingly, the first channel 44 may be included in the lid base 20 andbe aligned with a location of the flange 22.

Referring to FIGS. 4, 5, and 10, the lid and the food container 50include a second seal structure. In these examples, the lid base 20includes a second channel 27 included on an underneath side of the lidbase 20. The second channel 27 may correspond to an upper edge wall ofthe food container 50. Also, a second seal 28 may be included in thesecond channel 27. According to various aspects, when the lid base 20 isattached to the food container 50, the seal 28 may be brought intocontact with the upper edge wall of the food container 50 causing theseal 28 to partially deform. As a result, a contact area between theseal 28 and the upper edge wall of the food container 50 may form an airtight and/or a water tight seal between the lid base 20 and the foodcontainer 50.

In these examples, the channels (e.g., first channel 44 and secondchannel 27) have a three-sided shape with an opening on the lowerportion thereof for receiving the corresponding seals 46 and 28,respectively. The size and shape of the channels 47, 27 may be based onthe width of the flange 22 and/or the upper edge of the food container50. For example, a width of the first channel 44 may be slightly widerthan the flange 22 to enable the flange 22 to be inserted (at leastpartially) within the first channel 44 as the lid cover 40 is closed.Here, the strength of the air tight seal created by the first seal 46and the flange 22 may be strengthened or increased as the pressure fromthe flange 22 on the first seal 46 is increased causing the first seal46 to be pressed against and throughout the interior of the firstchannel 44. Likewise, a width of the second channel 27 may be slightlywider than the upper edge wall of the food container 50 to enable theupper edge wall to be at least partially inserted within the secondchannel 27 as the lid base 20 is attached to the food container 50.Accordingly, the strength of the air tight seal created by the secondseal 28 and the upper edge wall may be strengthened or increased as thepressure from the upper edge wall on the second seal 28 is increasedcausing the second seal 28 to be pressed against and throughout theinterior of the second channel 27.

As another example, the first and second channels 44, 27 may have adifferent shape than shown, for example, a semi-circular shape or otherdesired shape. Also, a space may be included in the underneath side ofthe lid cover 40 between the first channel 44 and an external edge ofthe lid cover 40. Accordingly, the external edge of the lid cover 40 mayalign with an external edge of the lid base 20, the first channel 44 mayalign flush with the flange 22.

D. Operation of Preferred Embodiment

The lid may be manufactured such that the lid is integrated with thefood container 50 as shown in the example of FIG. 6. As another example,the lid may be subsequently attached to the food container 50 by a useras shown in the examples of the food container lid systems in FIGS. 1and 9. For example, the lid may be attached by the user pushing down onthe top of the lid until locking mechanisms 26 of the lid snap intoplace with corresponding locking mechanisms on the food container 50. Asanother example, the lid may be attached by the user screwing a threadedfeature of the lid base 20 into a threaded feature of the food container50.

In use, a user may place food inside the food container 50. The food maybe added to the food container 50 before or after the lid has beenattached to the container. If the lid has previously been attached to oris integrated with the food container 50, food may be inserted throughthe opening 24 of the lid base 20 while the lid cover 40 is open asshown in FIGS. 2a and 2b . With the food inside, the lid cover 40 may beclosed to cover the opening 24 of the lid base 20 as shown in FIG. 1.When the lid is closed, the seal structure may provide an air tight andwater tight seal for the food included inside.

When a user desires to access the interior 52 of the food container 50(e.g., to gain access to the food stored inside) the user may actuatethe release member 30 and cause the lid cover 40 to open or partiallyopen. For example, the user may press on the contact surface of therelease member 30 shown in FIG. 5 with one hand causing the releasemember connector 34 to slide away from the cover connector 42. As aresult, the lid cover 40 may be released from the release member 30 andthe hinge 60 may push the lid cover 40 away from the lid base 20providing access to the opening 24 of the lid base 20. In this example,the lid cover 40 may pop open such as shown in the open state of FIG. 2a.

Accordingly, the food container lid system 10 described herein preventsa user's hand from getting in the way when the user opens the lid cover40. In addition, the lid may create a seal that is air tight and/orwater tight between the lid cover 40 and the lid base 20, and betweenthe lid and the food container 50. Accordingly, the food containersystem 10 described herein may improve user convenience when opening thefood container 50 and also improve the freshness and quality of the foodstored in the food container 50.

Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used hereinhave the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill inthe art to which this invention belongs. Although methods and materialssimilar to or equivalent to those described herein can be used in thepractice or testing of the food container lid system, suitable methodsand materials are described above. All publications, patentapplications, patents, and other references mentioned herein areincorporated by reference in their entirety to the extent allowed byapplicable law and regulations. The food container lid system may beembodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit oressential attributes thereof, and it is therefore desired that thepresent embodiment be considered in all respects as illustrative and notrestrictive. Any headings utilized within the description are forconvenience only and have no legal or limiting effect.

What is claimed is:
 1. A food container lid, comprising: a lid baseadapted to attach to a top portion of the food container, wherein thelid base comprises a release member configured to be actuated by a userand an opening that exposes access to an interior of the food container;a lid cover that covers the opening of the lid base and prevents accessto the interior of the food container when in a closed state, whereinthe lid cover comprises a cover connector configured to be removablyconnected to the release member when the lid cover is in the closedstate; and a hinge connecting the lid base to the lid cover; wherein therelease member releases the cover connector when the release member isactuated by the user.
 2. The food container lid of claim 1, wherein thehinge comprises a biasing hinge that causes the lid cover to move fromthe closed state to the open state when the cover connector is releasedby the release member.
 3. The food container lid of claim 2, wherein thebiasing hinge is configured to hold the lid cover at an angle of between10° and 45° with respect to the lid base.
 4. The food container lid ofclaim 1, wherein the release member comprises a release button that isactuated by the user pressing the release button.
 5. The food containerlid of claim 4, wherein the release button comprises a button hinge, acontact surface, and a button connector configured to be removablyconnected to the cover connector, and when the user presses inward onthe contact surface of the release button, the button connector movesoutwardly with respect to the cover connector thereby releasing thecover connector.
 6. The food container lid of claim 5, wherein thebutton connector comprises a hook and the cover connector comprises acorresponding hook.
 7. The food container lid of claim 1, furthercomprising a flange attached to the lid base or the lid cover, and achannel attached to the other of said lid base or lid cover, wherein thechannel includes a seal, and the seal and the flange form an air-tightseal between the lid cover and the lid base.
 8. The food container lidof claim 7, wherein the seal comprises silicone rubber.
 9. The foodcontainer lid of claim 1, wherein the lid base further comprises achannel corresponding to an upper edge wall of the food container and aseal included in the channel, and the seal and the upper edge wall forman air-tight seal between the lid base and the food container.
 10. Afood container lid, comprising: a lid base adapted to attach to a topportion of the food container, wherein the lid base comprises an openingthat exposes access to an interior of the food container; a lid coverthat covers the opening of the lid base and prevents access to theinterior of the food container when in a closed state; a flange attachedto the lid base or the lid cover, and a channel attached to the other ofsaid lid base or lid cover, wherein said channel includes a seal, andthe seal and the flange form an air-tight seal between the lid cover andthe lid base; and a hinge connecting the lid base to the lid cover. 11.The food container lid of claim 10, wherein the flange is attached tothe lid base and surrounds the opening, and the channel is attached tothe lid cover.
 12. The food container lid of claim 10, wherein thechannel is attached to the lid base and surrounds the opening, and theflange is attached to the lid cover.
 13. The food container lid of claim10, wherein the lid base further comprises a second channelcorresponding to an upper edge wall of the food container and a secondseal included in the second channel, and when the lid base is attachedto the food container, the second seal and the upper edge wall form anair-tight seal between the lid base and the food container.
 14. Theattachable lid of claim 13, wherein the seal and the second seal eachcomprise silicone rubber.
 15. The attachable lid of claim 10, whereinthe lid base further comprises a release member configured to beactuated by a user, and the lid cover further comprises a coverconnector configured to be removably connected to the release member.16. The attachable lid of claim 15, wherein the hinge comprises abiasing hinge that causes the lid cover to move from the closed state tothe open state when the cover connector is released by the releasemember.
 17. The attachable lid of claim 16, wherein the release membercomprises a release button including a button hinge, a contact surface,and a button connector configured to connect to the cover connector, andwhen the user presses inward on the contact surface of the releasebutton, the button connector moves outwardly with respect to the coverconnector thereby releasing the cover connector.
 18. A food containerlid apparatus comprising: a food container comprising a release memberconfigured to be actuated by a user and an opening that exposes accessto an interior of the food container; a lid cover that covers theopening of the food container and prevents access to the interior of thefood container when in a closed state, wherein the lid cover comprises acover connector configured to be removably connected to the releasemember when the lid cover is in the closed state; and a hinge connectingthe food container to the lid cover; wherein the release member releasesthe cover connector when the release member is actuated by the user. 19.The food container lid apparatus of claim 18, further comprising aflange attached to the lid base or the lid cover, and a channel attachedto the other of said lid base or lid cover, wherein the channel includesa seal, and the seal and the flange form an air-tight seal between thelid cover and the food container.
 20. The food container lid system ofclaim 18, wherein the release member comprises a release button that isactuated by the user pressing the release button.